While the point made by Antonio Diniz (Herald, July 31) in his article ‘Who is a Goan’ is very important and should be pursued by everyone from the Government to provide the definition of "Goan/Goenkar". Government has already defined who is "Native Goan" by keeping reservation of seats for "Native Goan student" in all professional colleges in Goa. (defined as student whose parent or grandparent is born in Goa).
Also Income Tax Department gives exemption to Goans as per Schedule 5A, defined as those who are born or their parents are born in Goa prior to Liberation.
I believe the "Goan/Goenkar" is an identity one inherits at birth from his/her father, just like caste or race which remains with you in your life time and cannot change with location or place of residence. That's why late Michael Jackson (RIP) was always an African American even though he changed his looks, the same with ex President of the US, Obama.
Therefore, Goan/Goenkar should not be restricted to only those residing/born in Goa. Once a Goan is a Goan forever. The same is with others like Kashmiri, Gujarati, Malayali, Bengali, Maharashtrian, etc.
That's why António Luís Santos da Costa, PM of Portugal, is still a Goan. Same as Indians residing abroad are Indian (irrespective of passport), Tamilian in Sri Lanka are Tamils and so on.
Settlers residing in Goa cannot adopt Goan identity when they already have their own. Be it Kashmiri, Malyalee, Bengali, Tamil, etc.) and therefore, residency is totally different from origin. Resident status can be changed as one moves from place to place or migrates but origin identity goes along as it cannot be changed.
Native Goans should be given priority over Resident (15Y resident) for jobs and other facilities. Only then "Goenkarponn can be protected and preserved. Also this will encourage Native Goans to return back to their Mother Goa (Home Coming) thus we will have reverse BRAIN DRAIN who acquired better quality of education and experience.
Presently there are thousands of native Goans, who are deprived of Government Jobs, just because they do not hold 15-year residency, even though they know Konkani and their parents hold 15Y residency. As a results, non-Goans get preference just because they are residing for 15Y.
Does this protect 'Goenkarponn"?
Government should also give better incentives under 'Start up’ policy for Goans who wish to invest.
Therefore, Government should declare, ‘Who is Goan or Goenkar?